Mimo and bandwidth signaling in millimeter-wave systems

ABSTRACT

Techniques to enable dynamic bandwidth management at the physical layer level while maintaining backwards compatibility in wireless systems is provided. Furthermore, techniques for reducing the occurrence of exposed nodes are provided. A transmitter may transmit a frame including an indication that a PHY layer sub-header defining a bandwidth associated with a channel is present. Furthermore, the transmitter may transmit a third frame after receiving a second frame from a receiver to indicate to legacy stations that the TXOP was successful.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application is a continuation of, claims the benefit of andpriority to previously filed U.S. patent application Ser. No. 14/293,878filed Jun. 2, 2014, entitled “MIMO AND BANDWIDTH SIGNALING INMILLIMETER-WAVE SYSTEMS”, the subject matter of which is incorporatedherein by reference in its entirety.

TECHNICAL FIELD

Embodiments described herein generally relate to dynamic bandwidthmanagement, MIMO and backward compatibility of modern millimeter wavesystems.

BACKGROUND

In some conventional wireless systems, such as, for example, IEEE802.11ad compliant systems, a single channel bandwidth is specified foruse by all stations in the system. In particular, all stations use thissingle channel bandwidth for both transmitting and receiving. Dynamicbandwidth management (DBWM) schemes are being implemented to extend thecapabilities of conventional wireless systems. For example, DBWM schemessuch as channel bonding and channel halving are being used to increasethroughput and reduce power requirements.

DBWM schemes, however, may not be backwards compatible with conventionalstations in the wireless network. Furthermore, these DBWM schemesintroduce what is referred to as the “exposed node problem.” As will beappreciated, the exposed node problem occurs where a station in thewireless network receives a request-to-send (RTS) frame but does notreceive the corresponding clear-to-send (CTS) frame or see the datatransmission. Accordingly, the station may assume that the channel isopen when in fact it is not. For example a conventional station canreceive an RTS frame transmitted on a first channel but not the data ifit is transmitted on a second channel and possibly not the CTS frame ifit is directional.

It is with respect to the above that the present disclosure is provided.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 illustrates an embodiment of a wireless system.

FIGS. 2A-2B illustrate examples of portions of a request-to-send (RTS)frame according to the present disclosure.

FIGS. 3-4 illustrate examples stations of the wireless system of FIG. 1according to the present disclosure.

FIG. 5 illustrates a wireless transmission technique according to thepresent disclosure.

FIG. 6-7 illustrate examples of logic flows.

FIG. 8 illustrates a storage medium according to an embodiment.

FIG. 9 illustrates a processing architecture according to an embodiment.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

Examples are generally directed to systems and techniques for wirelesssignaling that support DBWM and additionally resolve the exposed nodeproblem. In particular, systems and techniques for wireless signalingthat facilitate channel bonding, channel halving, and/or multiple-inputmultiple-output (MIMO) transmission are disclosed. These disclosedtechniques are backwards compatible with conventional stations such thatthe exposed node problem may be resolved. According to some examples, atransmitter may be configured to transmit a frame (e.g., arequest-to-send (RTS) frame, or the like) including a physical (PHY)layer header that has one or more PHY layer sub-headers. The one or morePHY layer sub-headers specify the DBWM and/or MIMO schemes to be used totransmit data. The transmitter may additionally be configured totransmit an additional frame (e.g., a directional-multi-gigabit (DMG)clear-to-send (CTS) frame) to indicate to legacy stations to not occupythe channel for a period of time. Accordingly, the legacy station mayleave the channel open, even though it cannot detect the datatransmission, thereby solving the exposed node problem. This example andother examples implemented in accordance with the present disclosurewill now be more fully described.

Reference is made to the drawings, wherein like reference numerals areused to refer to like elements throughout. In the following description,for purposes of explanation, numerous specific details are set forth inorder to provide a thorough understanding thereof. It may be evident,however, that the novel embodiments can be practiced without thesespecific details. In other instances, well known structures and devicesare shown in block diagram form in order to facilitate a descriptionthereof. The intention is to cover all modifications, equivalents, andalternatives within the scope of the claims.

FIG. 1 is a block diagram illustrating an example wireless network 1000.In some examples, as shown in FIG. 1, the wireless network 1000 includesa transmitting station 100, a receiving station 200, and another station300. It is important to note that the number of stations in the wirelessnetwork 1000 (e.g., the stations 100, 200, and 300) is shown at aquantity to facilitate understanding. It is to be appreciated, that thenumber of components can vary and may, in practice, be much greater thanthat shown. Furthermore, it will be appreciated that reference to thestation 100 as a “transmitting station” and reference to the station 200as a “receiving station” is done for purposes of illustration. Each ofthe stations 100 and/or 200 may be configured to transmit and/or receiveas described herein. Furthermore, for purposes of illustration, thestation 300 may be referred to as a “legacy station.” This is done toillustrate the above described exposed node problem and how it may besolved by implementations of the present disclosure. In particular, thewireless system 1000 may be implemented to provide DBWM and/or MIMOschemes while maintaining backwards compatibility with legacy devicesand additionally not introduce exposed nodes.

In some examples, the stations 100, 200, and/or 300 may be components ina wireless communication and/or broadband system operating in compliancewith one or more wireless communication standards. For example, thewireless system 1000 may be implemented to operate in compliance withthe Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers (IEEE) 802.11ajstandard.

In general, the stations 100, 200, and 300 may be any of a variety ofdevices configured to provide wireless communication and/or connectivityas described herein. For example, the stations 100, 200, and 300 may bea cellular telephone, a smart phone, a tablet computer, a laptopcomputer, a mobile access point, a mobile hotspot, a wireless router, awireless media device, or the like. Embodiments are not limited in thiscontext.

As depicted, the stations 100, 200, and 300 may exchange signals overthe wireless network 1000. Furthermore, the wireless 1000 may includemultiple channels. In particular, the network 1000 may include channelscorresponding to various DBWM schemes and/or MIMO techniques. Forexample, the network 1000 is depicted including a first channel 410 anda second channel 420. It is to be appreciated the channels (e.g., thefirst channel 410, the second channel 420, or the like) may correspondto a variety of different channels within the network 1000. For example,the first channel 410 may correspond to the IEEE 802.11ad channel whilethe second channel 420 may correspond to the IEEE 802.11aj channel. Itis to be appreciated term channel and the depicted channels 410 and 420are merely provided for illustrating the concept of DBWM and/or MIMOschemes being implemented to produce two different channels within thesame wireless network. Examples are however not limited in this context.

The station 100 includes logic and/or features to transmit a frame usingthe first channel. The frame includes a PHY layer header and a PHY layersub-header (refer to FIGS. 2A-2B). The PHY layer sub-header may includean indication of the second channel 420, which is to be used tocommunicate data between the stations 100 and 200. In general, the frametransmitted using the first channel may be any of a variety of types offrames. For example, the frame may be a control frame (e.g., an RTSframe, a CTS frame, a GRANT frame, or the like). In some examples, theframe may be a data frame. In some examples, the frame may be amanagement frame (e.g., a beacon frame, an association frame, a REQ/RSPframe, an authentication frame, an announce frame, or the like).Although the frame may be any type of frame, examples herein often referto the frame as an RTS frame for purposes of convenience and clarity.However, this is not intended to be limiting. Furthermore, the exampleRTS frame may correspond to a convergence procedure (PLCP) protocol dataunit (PPDU) and may be transmitted by the station 100 to initiatewireless communication with the station 200.

The station 100 is also configured to receive a directionalmulti-gigabit (DMG) clear-to-send (CTS) frame (refer to FIGS. 3 and 5)corresponding to the frame (e.g., the RTS frame) and to transmit aDMG-CTS-to-self frame including an indication that a transmitopportunity (TXOP) corresponding to the frame and the DMG-CTS frame wasestablished over the first channel 410. Accordingly, the stations 100and 200 may transmit signals conveying data using the second channelwhile the station 300 refrains from transmitting (e.g., due to settingits network allocation vector (NAV), or the like) during the TXOP.

The station 200 includes logic and/or features to receive a frame (e.g.,the RTS frame) from the station 100 (refer to FIGS. 4-5) over the firstchannel 410. The frame including a PHY layer header and a PHY layersub-header, the PHY layer sub-header including an indication of thesecond channel 420, which is to be used to communicate data between thestation 100 and 200.

The station 200 is also configured to decode the PHY layer sub-headerand determine at least a bandwidth corresponding to the second channel420. Additionally, the station 200 is configured to transmit a framecorresponding to the received frame over the first channel 410 and toreceive data over the second channel 420. In general, the frametransmitted by the station 200 may be any of a variety of types offrames. For example, the frame may be a control frame (e.g., an RTSframe, a CTS frame, a GRANT frame, or the like). In some examples, theframe may be a data frame. In some examples, the frame may be amanagement frame (e.g., a beacon frame, an association frame, a REQ/RSPframe, an authentication frame, an announce frame, or the like).Although the frame may be any type of frame, examples herein often referto the frame as a directional multi-gigabit (DMG) clear-to-send (CTS)frame for purposes of convenience and clarity. However, this is notintended to be limiting.

As detailed, the station 100 transmits a frame to a station (e.g., thestation 200) over the first channel 100. FIG. 2A illustrates a blockdiagram on an example RTS frame 500, arranged according to the presentdisclosure. It is noted, that the RTS frame 500 is depicted as a PPDUcompliant frame. Examples however are not limited in this context.Furthermore, as noted above, the station 100 may transmit a frame otherthan an RTS frame. However, an RTS frame is used in the followingexamples for purposes of illustration only. As shown, the RTS frame 500includes a training field 510, a channel estimation field 520, a PHYlayer header 530, a media access control (MAC) layer header and datapayload 540, a frame control sequence (FCS) 550, and an automatic gaincontrol (AGC) field 560.

The PHY layer header 530 includes one or more PHY layer sub-headers532-a and one or more corresponding PHY layer sub-header present fields534-a, where a is a positive integer. For example, the PHY layer header530 is depicted including a first PHY layer sub-header 532-1 and asecond PHY layer sub-header 532-2. Additionally, the PHY layer header530 is depicted including the PHY layer sub-header present fields 534-1and 534-2. In some examples, the PHY layer sub-header present fields534-a may be one or more reserved bits of the PHY layer header 530. Saiddifferently, setting one or more of these reserved bits may be done toidentify the presence of a PHY layer sub-headers 532-a.

A station receiving the RTS 500 (e.g., the station 200) may identify thepresence of the PHY layer sub-headers 532-1 and 532-2 based on the PHYlayer sub-header present fields 534-1 and 534-2 bits being set. Thestation can then correctly decode the PHY layer header 530 including thePHY layer sub-headers 532-1 and 532-2. Conversely, a legacy station(e.g., the station 300) receiving the RTS frame 500 will attempt todecode the RTS frame 500. However, the presence of the PHY layersub-headers will cause the FCS 550 to fail. Accordingly, the legacystation will not misinterpret the RTS frame 500 and backwardscompatibility issues can be avoided.

DBWM and/or MIMO schemes may be provided for or specified in the PHYlayer sub-headers 532-a. For example, the first PHY layer sub-header532-1 (also referred to as a high throughput (HT)-DMG PHY layersub-header) may be used to define a bandwidth for establishingcommunication between the station sending the RTS 500 and the stationreceiving the RTS 500. As a specific example, the PHY layer sub-header532-1 may be used to specify a bandwidth for the second channel 420 usedto communicate between the stations 100 and 200. As another example, thefirst PHY layer sub-header 532-1 may be used to define a MIMO mode(e.g., number of streams, or the like). As a specific example, the PHYlayer sub-header 532-1 may be used to specify MIMO modes for the secondchannel 420.

The second PHY layer sub-header 532-2 may be used to specify one or moreMIMO mode training sequences to be used to establish MIMO communication(e.g., over the second channel 420) between the stations 100 and 200.

In some examples, the second PHY layer sub-header present field 534-2may be part of the first PHY layer sub-header 532-1. In particular, FIG.2B illustrates the PHY layer header 530 including the first PHY layersub-header present field 534-1 and the first PHY layer sub-header 532-1.As shown, the second PHY layer sub-header present field 534-2 is part ofthe first PHY layer sub-header 532-1. For example, the last bit of thePHY layer sub-header 532-1 may be used as the field 534-2.

The following table illustrates an example of indications of thepresence of a PHY layer sub-header 532-1 that may be defined in the PHYlayer header 530.

Field or Size Sub-header (bits) Definition HT-DMG PHY 1 0: Can indicatethat no HT-DMG PHY layer layer sub- sub-header 532-1 is present. headerpresent 1: Can indicate the HT-DMG PHY layer sub- field (534-1) header532-1 is present.As noted herein, the PHY layer sub-header 532-1 may use one or more thereserved bits within the PHY layer header.

The following table illustrates an example of bandwidth and/or MIMOschemes that may be defined in the PHY layer sub-headers 532-a.

Field or Size Sub-header (bits) Definition HT-DMG PHY 4 0: 2.16 GHz(i.e., center frequency of the operating layer sub-header 802.11adchannel). (532-1) 1: Upper 1.08 GHz of the operating 802.11ad channel.Bandwidth 2: Lower 1.08 GHz of the operating 802.11ad channel. Portion.3: 802.11ad channel + Upper 2.16 GHz. (2 channel bonding) 4: 802.11adchannel + Lower 2.16 GHz. (2 channel bonding) 5: 802.11ad channel +Upper 4.32 GHz. (3 channel bonding) 6: 802.11ad channel + Lower 4.32GHz. (3 channel bonding) 7: 802.11ad channel + Upper 2.16 GHz + Lower2.16 GHz. (3 channel bonding) 8-15: Reserved HT-DMG PHY 3 Indication ofthe MIMO mode, including the number of layer sub-header streams. (532-1)MIMO Mode Portion. MIMO Training 1 0: Can indicate that no MIMO trainingPHY layer sub-header PHY layer sub- 532-2 is present. header present 1:Can indicate the MIMO training PHY layer sub-header field (532-2) 532-2is present. MIMO Training 8 List of symbols to be used to MIMO training.PHY layer sub- header (532-2)It is worthy to note, that the above example definitions are given forillustration only. Particularly, they are given to illustrate how thePHY layer sub-headers 532-1 and 532-2 provide for DBWM and MIMO schemesand maintain backwards compatibility for legacy stations.

FIGS. 3-4 illustrate examples of the stations 100 and 200, arrangedaccording to the present disclosure. In general, FIG. 3 depicts theexample station 100 while FIG. 4 depicts the example station 200. Thestation 100 and the station 200 each include circuitry. For example, thestation 100 includes circuitry 110 while the station 200 includescircuitry 210. In general, the circuitry 110 and 210 may each bearranged to execute one or more components 112-a and 212-a,respectively. The circuitry 110 and/or 210 may be any of variouscommercially available processors, including without limitation an AMD®Athlon®, Duron® and Opteron® processors; ARM® application, embedded andsecure processors; IBM® and Motorola® DragonBall® and PowerPC®processors; IBM and Sony® Cell processors; Qualcomm® Snapdragon®; Intel®Celeron®, Core (2) Duo®, Core i3, Core i5, Core i7, Itanium®, Pentium®,Xeon®, Atom® and XScale® processors; and similar processors. Dualmicroprocessors, multi-core processors, and other multi-processorarchitectures may also be employed as the circuitry 110 and/or 210.According to some examples, the circuitry 110 and/or 210 may also be anapplication specific integrated circuit (ASIC) and components 112-aand/or 212-a may be implemented as hardware elements of the ASIC.According to some examples the circuitry 110 and/or 210 may also be afield programmable gate array (FPGA) and components 112-a and/or 212-amay be implemented as hardware elements of the FPGA.

Turning more specifically to FIG. 3, according to some examples, thestation 100 may include a transmitter 112-1. The transmitter 112-1 canbe operably coupled to the circuitry 110 and/or embodied in thecircuitry 110. The transmitter 112-1 is configured to cause thecircuitry 110 to transmit the RTS frame 500 using the first channel 410.As described above, the RTS frame 500 includes at least an indication ofthe bandwidth corresponding to the second channel 420. Additionally, thestation 100 may include a receiver 112-2. The receiver 112-2 can beoperably coupled to the circuitry 110 and/or embodied by the circuitry110. The receiver 112-2 is configured to cause the circuitry 110 toreceive a DMG CTS frame 600-1 corresponding to the RTS frame 500.

The transmitter 112-1 may be further configured to cause the circuitry110 to transmit a DMG CTS-to-self frame 600-2 using the first channel410. Additionally, the transmitter 112-1 and receiver 112-2 may befurther configured to transmit and receive the data and acknowledgement(ACK) 700 over the second channel 420.

The transmitter station 100 may further include a number of antennas(refer to FIG. 9). As described above in conjunction with FIGS. 2A-2B,the RTS frame 500 includes the PHY layer sub-header 531-2. The PHY layersub-header 531-2 can indicate a MIMO transmission scheme to be used tocommunicate data using the second channel 420. In particular, the MIMOscheme would utilize ones of the plurality of antennas (e.g., theantennas 2118 of FIG. 9).

The DMG CTS-to-self frame 600-1 is transmitted by the station 100 toindicate to other stations, and particularly to legacy stations, that atransmit opportunity (TXOP) was successfully established and thestations should set their NAV so as to not transmit on the channels 410and/or 420 during the TXOP. This is explained in greater detail belowwith reference to FIG. 5.

Turning more specifically to FIG. 4, according to some examples, thestation 200 may include a receiver 212-1. The receiver 212-1 can beoperably coupled to and/or embodied in the circuitry 210. The receiver212-1 is configured to cause the circuitry 210 to receive the RTS frame500 using the first channel 410. Additionally, the station 200 mayinclude a transmitter 212-2. The transmitter 212-2 can be operablycoupled to and/or embodied in the circuitry 210 and configured to causethe circuitry 210 to transmit a DMG CTS frame 600-1 corresponding to theRTS frame 500.

The station 200 may further include a dynamic bandwidth determinationmodule 212-3. The dynamic bandwidth determination module 212-3 may beoperably coupled to and/or embodied by the circuitry 210 and configuredto cause the circuitry 210 to decode the PHY layer sub-header(2) 532-1and/or 532-2 from the RTS frame 500. In particular, the dynamicbandwidth determination module 212-3 may be configured to decode the PHYlayer sub-header(s) 532-1 to determine a bandwidth and/or MIMO schemecorresponding to the second channel 420. Furthermore, the bandwidthdetermination module 212-3 may be configured to decode the second PHYlayer sub-header 532-2 to determine a number of MIMO training sequencesused to establish communication over the channel 420.

Additionally, the receiver 212-1 and the transmitter 212-2 may befurther configured to receive and transmit the data and theacknowledgement (ACK) 700 over the second channel 420.

The receiver station 200 may further include a number of antennas (referto FIG. 9). As described above in conjunction with FIGS. 2A-2B, the RTSframe 500 includes the PHY layer sub-header 531-2. The PHY layersub-header 531-2 can indicate a MIMO transmission scheme to be used tocommunicate data using the second channel 420. In particular, the MIMOscheme would utilize ones of the plurality of antennas (e.g., theantennas 2118 of FIG. 9).

FIG. 5 illustrates a wireless transmission technique 1100 arrangedaccording to the present disclosure. In general, the wirelesstransmission technique 1100 depicts example transmission of packetswithin the wireless network 1000. For example, the wireless transmissiontechnique 1100 may be implemented by logic and/or circuitry of thestations in the wireless network 1000. The technique 1100 is shown withtime interval t0 to t1. It is noted that this time scale is shown forillustrative purposes only and is not intended to indicate an actualamount of time between events depicted in the technique 1100 or anactual quantity of time represented. Furthermore, the time scale isshown for purposes of illustration only and any amount of time betweenevents and the quantity of time may be implementation dependent.

Discussion of the wireless transmission technique is done with respectto the wireless network 1000 shown in FIG. 1 and particularly to thearrangement of the stations 100, 200, and 300. This is done for purposesof illustration in explaining the exposed node problem and how it is notintroduced by the present disclosure. However, this is not intended tobe limiting.

As depicted, the transmitting station 100 transmits the RTS frame 500over the first channel 410. As will be appreciated, the receivingstation 200 as well as the legacy station 300 receives the RTS frame500. More particularly, as the RTS frame 500 is transmitted over asingle channel such as an IEEE 802.11ad channel, both stations 200 and300 will receive it. The receiving station 200 can decode the PHY layersub-header(s) 532-1 and 532-2 to determine a bandwidth and/or MIMOscheme for the second channel 420. As noted above, the legacy station300 cannot decode the PHY layer sub-header so the FCS will fail and thelegacy station 300 will not respond to the RTS frame 500 or be able todetermine a station to which the RTS frame 500 is targeted.

The receiving station 200 will however respond to the RTS frame 500 withthe DMG CTS 600-1. However, due to the positioning of the receivingstation 200 between the transmitting station 100 and the legacy station300 (e.g., refer to FIG. 1) the legacy station 300 will not receive theDMG CTS 600-1. More specifically, as the DMG-CTS frame 600-1 isdirectional, and transmitted from the station 200 towards the station100 (refer to FIG. 1) the legacy station 300 will not receive the DMGCTS frame 600-1 and will be “an exposed node”. As such, the legacystation will not know or will not receive an indication that the channel410 and/or 420 is going to be occupied. Said differently, as the TXOPwould proceed without the legacy station 300 receiving any furtherframes, the legacy station would assume the TXOP was unsuccessful andmay transmit interfering signals during the TXOP.

As such, the transmitting station 100 is configured to transmit the DMGCTS-to-self frame 600-2, which will be received by the receiving station200 and legacy station 300. The legacy station 300, upon receiving theDMG CTS-to-self frame 600-2 can set its NAV. Said differently, thelegacy station will receive an indication that the TXOP between thetransmitting station 100 and the receiving station 200 was successfulbased on the DMG CTS-to-self frame 600-2 and set it NAV accordingly.

The stations 100 and 200 are configured to communicate (e.g., send dataand ACK signals, or the like) during the TXOP on the second channel 420.

FIGS. 6-7 illustrate examples of logic flows 1200 and 1300,respectively. The logic flows may be representative of some or all ofthe operations executed by one or more logic, features, or devicesdescribed herein. In general, the logic flow 1200 may be representativeof some or all of the operations executed by logic and/or features ofthe transmitting station 100. In general, the logic flow 1300 may berepresentative of some or all of the operations executed by logic and/orfeatures of the receiving station 200.

Turning more specifically to FIG. 6, the station 100 and/or 200 mayimplement the logic flow 1200. In the logic flow 1200, at block 1210, atransmitting station transmits an RTS frame using a first channel, wherethe RTS frame includes a PHY layer sub-header. For example, thetransmitting station 100 may transmit the RTS frame 500. Morespecifically, the transmitter 112-1 may transmit the RTS frame 500. Asdetailed above, the RTS frame 500 includes the PHY layer sub-header(s)532-1 and 532-2. The PHY layer sub-headers 532-1 and 532-2 includeindications of bandwidth and/or MIMO schemes corresponding to the secondchannel 420.

At block 1220, the transmitting station receives a DMG CTS framecorresponding to the RTS frame. For example, the transmitting station100 may receive the DMG CTS 600-1. More specifically, the receiver 112-2may receive the DMG CTS 600-1 (e.g., from the receiving station 200).

At block 1230, the transmitting station transmits a DMG CTS-to-selfframe. For example, the transmitting station can transmit the DMGCTS-to-self frame 600-2. More specifically, the transmitter 112-1 maytransmit the DMG CTS-to-self frame 600-2.

At block 1240, the transmitting station transmits data and/or receivesan acknowledgement on the second channel. For example, the transmittingstation 100 may transmit data and receive an acknowledgment on thesecond channel 420.

Turning more specifically to FIG. 7, the station 100 and/or 200 mayimplement the logic flow 1300. In the logic flow 1300, at block 1310, areceiving station receives an RTS frame over a first channel. The RTSframe including a PHY layer sub-header that includes an indication of abandwidth and/or MIMO scheme corresponding to a second channel. Forexample, the receiving station 200 may receive the RTS frame 500. Morespecifically, the receiver 212-1 may receive the RTS frame 500.

At block 1320, the receiving station decodes the PHY layer sub-header.For example, the receiving station 200 may decode the PHY layersub-header(s) 532-1 and 532-2. More specifically, the dynamic bandwidthmanager 112-3 may decode the PHY layer sub-headers 532-1 and 532-2.

At block 1330, the receiving station determines a bandwidth associatedwith the second channel. For example, the receiving station 200 maydetermine a bandwidth associated with the second channel 420. Morespecifically, the dynamic bandwidth manager 212-3 may determine abandwidth and/or MIMO scheme associated with the second channel 420 fromthe PHY layer sub-header(s) 532-1 and 532-2.

At block 1340, the receiving station transmits a DMG CTS framecorresponding to the RTS frame. For example, the receiving station 200can transmit the DMG CTS frame 600-1 to the transmitting station 100.More specifically, the transmitter 212-2 may transmit the DMG CTS frame600-1.

At block 1350, the receiving station receives data and/or transmits anacknowledgement on the second channel. For example, the receivingstation 200 may receive data and transmit an acknowledgment on thesecond channel 420.

FIG. 8 illustrates an embodiment of a storage medium 1400. The storagemedium 1400 may comprise an article of manufacture. In some examples,the storage medium 1400 may include any non-transitory computer readablemedium or machine readable medium, such as an optical, magnetic orsemiconductor storage. The storage medium 1400 may store various typesof computer executable instructions. For example, the storage medium1400 may store various types of computer executable instructions toimplement logic flow 1200. In some examples, the storage medium 1400 maystore various types of computer executable instructions to implementlogic flow 1300.

Examples of a computer readable or machine readable storage medium mayinclude any tangible media capable of storing electronic data, includingvolatile memory or non-volatile memory, removable or non-removablememory, erasable or non-erasable memory, writeable or re-writeablememory, and so forth. Examples of computer executable instructions mayinclude any suitable type of code, such as source code, compiled code,interpreted code, executable code, static code, dynamic code,object-oriented code, visual code, and the like. The examples are notlimited in this context.

FIG. 9 illustrates an embodiment of a device 2000. In some examples,device 2000 may be configured or arranged for wireless communications ina wireless network such as the network 1000 shown in FIG. 1. In someexamples, the transmitting station 100 may be implemented in the device2000. For example, the device 2000 may implement the station asapparatus 100. With some examples, the receiving station 200 may beimplemented in the device 2000. For example, the device 2000 mayimplement the receiving station as apparatus 200. In some examples, themobile device 300-a may be implemented in the device 2000. Additionally,the device 2000 may implement storage medium 1400 and/or a logic circuit1200/1300. The logic circuits may include physical circuits to performoperations described for the apparatus 100, apparatus 200, storagemedium 1400, logic flow 1200, and/or logic flow 1300. As shown in FIG.9, device 2000 may include a radio interface 2110, baseband circuitry2120, and computing platform 2130, although examples are not limited tothis configuration.

The device 2000 may implement some or all of the structure and/oroperations for the apparatus 100/200, the storage medium 1400 and/or thelogic circuit 1200/1300 in a single computing entity, such as entirelywithin a single device. The embodiments are not limited in this context.

Radio interface 2110 may include a component or combination ofcomponents adapted for transmitting and/or receiving single carrier ormulti-carrier modulated signals (e.g., including complementary codekeying (CCK) and/or orthogonal frequency division multiplexing (OFDM)symbols and/or single carrier frequency division multiplexing (SC-FDMsymbols) although the embodiments are not limited to any specificover-the-air interface or modulation scheme. Radio interface 2110 mayinclude, for example, a receiver 2112, a transmitter 2116 and/or afrequency synthesizer 2114. Radio interface 2110 may include biascontrols, a crystal oscillator and antennas 2118-1 to 2118-f. In anotherembodiment, radio interface 2110 may use external voltage-controlledoscillators (VCOs), surface acoustic wave filters, intermediatefrequency (IF) filters and/or RF filters, as desired. Due to the varietyof potential RF interface designs an expansive description thereof isomitted.

Baseband circuitry 2120 may communicate with radio interface 2110 toprocess receive and/or transmit signals and may include, for example, ananalog-to-digital converter 2122 for down converting received signals, adigital-to-analog converter 2124 for up converting signals fortransmission. Further, baseband circuitry 2120 may include a baseband orphysical layer (PHY) processing circuit 2126 for PHY link layerprocessing of respective receive/transmit signals. Baseband circuitry2120 may include, for example, a processing circuit 2128 for mediumaccess control (MAC)/data link layer processing. Baseband circuitry 2120may include a memory controller 2132 for communicating with MACprocessing circuit 2128 and/or a computing platform 2130, for example,via one or more interfaces 2134.

In some embodiments, PHY processing circuit 2126 may include a frameconstruction and/or detection module, in combination with additionalcircuitry such as a buffer memory, to construct and/or deconstructcommunication frames (e.g., containing subframes). Alternatively or inaddition, MAC processing circuit 2128 may share processing for certainof these functions or perform these processes independent of PHYprocessing circuit 2126. In some embodiments, MAC and PHY processing maybe integrated into a single circuit.

Computing platform 2130 may provide computing functionality for device2000. As shown, computing platform 2130 may include a processingcomponent 2140. In addition to, or alternatively of, baseband circuitry2120 of device 2000 may execute processing operations or logic for theapparatus 100/200-a/300-a, storage medium 800, and logic circuit400/500/600/700 using the processing component 2130. Processingcomponent 2140 (and/or PHY 2126 and/or MAC 2128) may comprise varioushardware elements, software elements, or a combination of both. Examplesof hardware elements may include devices, logic devices, components,processors, microprocessors, circuits, processor circuits, circuitelements (e.g., transistors, resistors, capacitors, inductors, and soforth), integrated circuits, application specific integrated circuits(ASIC), programmable logic devices (PLD), digital signal processors(DSP), field programmable gate array (FPGA), memory units, logic gates,registers, semiconductor device, chips, microchips, chip sets, and soforth. Examples of software elements may include software components,programs, applications, computer programs, application programs, systemprograms, software development programs, machine programs, operatingsystem software, middleware, firmware, software modules, routines,subroutines, functions, methods, procedures, software interfaces,application program interfaces (API), instruction sets, computing code,computer code, code segments, computer code segments, words, values,symbols, or any combination thereof. Determining whether an example isimplemented using hardware elements and/or software elements may vary inaccordance with any number of factors, such as desired computationalrate, power levels, heat tolerances, processing cycle budget, input datarates, output data rates, memory resources, data bus speeds and otherdesign or performance constraints, as desired for a given example.

Computing platform 2130 may further include other platform components2150. Other platform components 2150 include common computing elements,such as one or more processors, multi-core processors, co-processors,memory units, chipsets, controllers, peripherals, interfaces,oscillators, timing devices, video cards, audio cards, multimediainput/output (I/O) components (e.g., digital displays), power supplies,and so forth. Examples of memory units may include without limitationvarious types of computer readable and machine readable storage media inthe form of one or more higher speed memory units, such as read-onlymemory (ROM), random-access memory (RAM), dynamic RAM (DRAM),Double-Data-Rate DRAM (DDRAM), synchronous DRAM (SDRAM), static RAM(SRAM), programmable ROM (PROM), erasable programmable ROM (EPROM),electrically erasable programmable ROM (EEPROM), flash memory, polymermemory such as ferroelectric polymer memory, ovonic memory, phase changeor ferroelectric memory, silicon-oxide-nitride-oxide-silicon (SONOS)memory, magnetic or optical cards, an array of devices such as RedundantArray of Independent Disks (RAID) drives, solid state memory devices(e.g., USB memory, solid state drives (SSD) and any other type ofstorage media suitable for storing information.

Computing platform 2130 may further include a network interface 2160. Insome examples, network interface 2160 may include logic and/or featuresto support network interfaces operated in compliance with one or morewireless broadband technologies such as those described in one or morestandards associated with IEEE 802.11 such as IEEE 802.11u or withtechnical specification such as WFA Hotspot 2.0.

Device 2000 may be part of a source or destination node in a MIMO systemand may be included in various types of computing devices to include,but not limited to, user equipment, a computer, a personal computer(PC), a desktop computer, a laptop computer, a notebook computer, anetbook computer, a tablet computer, an ultra-book computer, a smartphone, embedded electronics, a gaming console, a server, a server arrayor server farm, a web server, a network server, an Internet server, awork station, a mini-computer, a main frame computer, a supercomputer, anetwork appliance, a web appliance, a distributed computing system,multiprocessor systems, processor-based systems, or combination thereof.Accordingly, functions and/or specific configurations of device 2000described herein; may be included or omitted in various embodiments ofdevice 2000, as suitably desired. In some embodiments, device 2000 maybe configured to be compatible with protocols and frequencies associatedwith IEEE 802.11 Standards or Specification and/or 3GPP Standards orSpecifications for MIMO systems, although the examples are not limitedin this respect.

The components and features of device 2000 may be implemented using anycombination of discrete circuitry, application specific integratedcircuits (ASICs), logic gates and/or single chip architectures. Further,the features of device 2000 may be implemented using microcontrollers,programmable logic arrays and/or microprocessors or any combination ofthe foregoing where suitably appropriate. It is noted that hardware,firmware and/or software elements may be collectively or individuallyreferred to herein as “logic” or “circuit.”

It should be appreciated that the exemplary device 2000 shown in theblock diagram of FIG. 9 may represent one functionally descriptiveexample of many potential implementations. Accordingly, division,omission or inclusion of block functions depicted in the accompanyingfigures does not infer that the hardware components, circuits, softwareand/or elements for implementing these functions would be necessarily bedivided, omitted, or included in embodiments.

Some examples may be described using the expression “in one example” or“an example” along with their derivatives. These terms mean that aparticular feature, structure, or characteristic described in connectionwith the example is included in at least one example. The appearances ofthe phrase “in one example” in various places in the specification arenot necessarily all referring to the same example.

Some examples may be described using the expression “coupled”,“connected”, or “capable of being coupled” along with their derivatives.These terms are not necessarily intended as synonyms for each other. Forexample, descriptions using the terms “connected” and/or “coupled” mayindicate that two or more elements are in direct physical or electricalcontact with each other. The term “coupled,” however, may also mean thattwo or more elements are not in direct contact with each other, but yetstill co-operate or interact with each other.

What has been described above includes examples of the disclosedarchitecture. It is, of course, not possible to describe everyconceivable combination of components and/or methodologies, but one ofordinary skill in the art may recognize that many further combinationsand permutations are possible. Accordingly, the novel architecture isintended to embrace all such alterations, modifications and variationsthat fall within the spirit and scope of the appended claims. Thedetailed disclosure now turns to providing examples that pertain tofurther embodiments. The examples provided below are not intended to belimiting.

Example 1

An apparatus for a station in a wireless network. The example includingcircuitry; and a transmitter operably coupled to the circuitry andconfigured to cause the circuitry to transmit a first frame, the frametransmitted using a first millimeter wave channel and including a PHYlayer header and a PHY layer sub-header, the PHY layer sub-headerincluding an indication of a second channel to be used to communicatedata, the first channel different from the second channel.

Example 2

The apparatus of example 1, further including a receiver operablycoupled to the circuitry and configured to cause the circuitry toreceive a second frame, the transmitter further configured to cause thecircuitry to transmit a third frame including an indication that atransmit opportunity (TXOP) corresponding to the first frame and thesecond frame was established, the third frame transmitted at least inpart in response to receiving the second frame.

Example 3

The apparatus of example 2, the transmitter further configured to causethe circuitry to transmit data using the second channel.

Example 4

The apparatus example 3, further comprising a plurality of antennas, thePHY layer sub-header including an indication of a multiple-inputmultiple-output (MIMO) transmission scheme to be used to communicatedata using the second channel, the MIMO scheme utilizing one or more ofthe plurality of antennas.

Example 5

The apparatus of example 4, the first frame further including a MIMOtraining field sub-header including an indication of one or more MIMOtraining sequences to be used in establishing communication using thesecond channel.

Example 6

The apparatus of example 4, the PHY layer sub-header including anindication of bandwidth to be used to communicate data using the secondchannel.

Example 7

The apparatus of example 4, the PHY layer header including a bit thatindicates the presence of the PHY layer sub-header.

Example 8

The apparatus of example 4, further comprising a plurality of antennas,wherein the PHY layer sub-header is a first PHY layer sub-header, thefirst frame further including a second PHY layer sub-header, the secondPHY layer sub-header including an indication of one or more MIMOtraining sequences.

Example 9

The apparatus of example 8, the PHY layer header including a first bitthat indicates the presence of the first PHY layer sub-header and asecond bit that indicates the presence of the second PHY layersub-header.

Example 10

The apparatus of example 9, the first and second bits corresponding toreserved bits in the PHY layer header.

Example 11

The apparatus of example 9, the first bit corresponding to a reservedbit in the PHY layer header and the second bit part of the first PHYlayer sub-header.

Example 12

The apparatus of any one of examples 1 to 11, wherein the circuitry isphysical (PHY) layer circuitry.

Example 13

The apparatus of any one of examples 1 to 11, wherein the circuitry ismedia access control (MAC) layer circuitry.

Example 12

The apparatus of any one of examples 1 to 11, wherein the circuitryincludes both physical (PHY) layer circuitry and media access control(MAC) layer circuitry.

Example 13

The apparatus of any one of examples 1 to 11, wherein the first frame isa request to send (RTS) frame.

Example 14

The apparatus of example 13, wherein the second frame is a directionalmulti-gigabit (DMG) clear-to-send (CTS) frame corresponding to the RTSframe.

Example 15

The apparatus of example 14, wherein the third frame is aDMG-CTS-to-self frame.

Example 16

The apparatus of example 13, wherein the RTS frame is part of aconvergence procedure (PLCP) protocol data unit (PPDU).

Example 17

The apparatus of example 15, wherein the DMG-CTS frame is received froma first node in the wireless network, the DMG-CTS-to-self frameincluding an indication that one or more other nodes in the wirelessnetwork, different from the first node, should refrain from transmittingon the first channel during the TXOP.

Example 18

An apparatus for a station in a wireless network. The apparatusincluding: circuitry; a receiver operably coupled to the circuitry andconfigured to cause the circuitry to receive a first frame, the firstframe received over a first millimeter wave channel and including a PHYlayer header and a PHY layer sub-header, the PHY layer sub-headerincluding an indication of a second channel to be used to communicatedata, the first channel different from the second channel; a dynamicbandwidth manager configured to decode the PHY layer sub-header anddetermine at least a bandwidth corresponding to the second channel; anda transmitter operably coupled to the circuitry and configured to causethe circuitry to transmit a second frame corresponding to the firstframe; the receiver further configured to cause the circuitry to receivedata using the second channel based at least in part on the bandwidth.

Example 19

The apparatus of example 18, further comprising a plurality of antennas,the PHY layer sub-header including an indication of a multiple-inputmultiple-output (MIMO) transmission scheme to be used to communicatedata using the second channel, the MIMO scheme utilizing one or more ofthe plurality of antennas.

Example 20

The apparatus of example 19, the first frame further including a MIMOtraining field sub-header including an indication of one or more MIMOtraining sequences to be used in establishing communication using thesecond channel.

Example 21

The apparatus of example 18, the PHY layer sub-header including anindication of the bandwidth corresponding to the second channel.

Example 22

The apparatus of example 18, the PHY layer header including a bit thatindicates the presence of the PHY layer sub-header.

Example 23

The apparatus of example 19, further comprising a plurality of antennas,wherein the PHY layer sub-header is a first PHY layer sub-header, thefirst frame further including a second PHY layer sub-header, the secondPHY layer sub-header including an indication of one or more MIMOtraining sequences.

Example 24

The apparatus of example 23, the PHY layer header including a bit thatindicates the presence of the first PHY layer sub-header.

Example 25

The apparatus of example 24, the bit corresponding to a reserved bit inthe PHY layer header.

Example 26

The apparatus of example 24, the first PHY layer sub-header including abit that indicates the presence of the second PHY layer sub-header.

Example 27

The apparatus of example 18, wherein the circuitry is physical (PHY)layer circuitry.

Example 28

The apparatus of any one of examples 18 to 27, wherein the first frameis a request to send (RTS) frame.

Example 29

The apparatus of example 28, wherein the RTS frame is part of aconvergence procedure (PLCP) protocol data unit (PPDU).

Example 30

The apparatus of example 28, wherein the second frame is a directionalmulti-gigabit (DMG) clear-to-send (CTS) frame corresponding to the RTSframe.

Example 31

The apparatus of example 29, wherein the third frame is aDMG-CTS-to-self frame.

Example 32

A method implemented by a station in a wireless network. The methodincluding: transmitting a first frame, the first frame transmitted usinga first millimeter wave channel and including a PHY layer header and aPHY layer sub-header, the PHY layer sub-header including an indicationof a second channel to be used to communicate data, the first channeldifferent from the second channel.

Example 33

The method of example 32, further comprising: receiving a second framecorresponding to the first frame; and transmitting a third frameincluding an indication that a transmit opportunity (TXOP) correspondingto the first frame was established, the third frame transmitted at leastin part in response to receiving the second frame.

Example 34

The method of example 33, further comprising transmitting data using thesecond channel.

Example 35

The method of example 34, the PHY layer sub-header including anindication of a multiple-input multiple-output (MIMO) transmissionscheme to be used to communicate data using the second channel, the MIMOscheme utilizing one or more of a plurality of antennas.

Example 36

The method of example 35, the first frame further including a MIMOtraining field sub-header including an indication of one or more MIMOtraining sequences to be used in establishing communication using thesecond channel.

Example 37

The method of example 35, the PHY layer sub-header including anindication of bandwidth to be used to communicate data using the secondchannel.

Example 38

The method of example 35, the PHY layer header including a bit thatindicates the presence of the PHY layer sub-header.

Example 39

The method of example 35, wherein the PHY layer sub-header is a firstPHY layer sub-header, the RTS frame further including a second PHY layersub-header, the second PHY layer sub-header including an indication ofone or more MIMO training sequences.

Example 40

The method of example 35, the PHY layer header including a first bitthat indicates the presence of the first PHY layer sub-header and asecond bit that indicates the presence of the second PHY layersub-header.

Example 41

The method of example 40, the first and second bits corresponding toreserved bits in the PHY layer header.

Example 42

The method any one of examples 33 to 41, wherein the first frame is arequest to send (RTS) frame.

Example 43

The apparatus of example 42, wherein the second frame is a directionalmulti-gigabit (DMG) clear-to-send (CTS) frame corresponding to the RTSframe and the third frame is a DMG-CTS-to-self frame.

Example 44

The method of example 43, wherein the RTS frame is part of a convergenceprocedure (PLCP) protocol data unit (PPDU).

Example 45

The method of example 43, wherein the DMG-CTS frame is received from afirst node in the wireless network, the DMG-CTS-to-self frame includingan indication that one or more other nodes in the wireless network,different from the first node, should refrain from transmitting on thefirst channel during the TXOP.

Example 46

A method implemented by a station in a wireless network. The methodincluding: receiving a first frame, the first frame received over afirst millimeter wave channel and including a PHY layer header and a PHYlayer sub-header, the PHY layer sub-header including an indication of asecond channel to be used to communicate data, the first channeldifferent from the second channel; decoding the PHY layer sub-header;determining at least a bandwidth corresponding to the second channelbased on the decoded PHY layer sub-header; transmitting a second framecorresponding to the first frame; and receiving data using the secondchannel based at least in part on the bandwidth.

Example 47

The method of example 46, the PHY layer sub-header including anindication of a multiple-input multiple-output (MIMO) transmissionscheme to be used to communicate data using the second channel, the MIMOscheme utilizing one or more of a plurality of antennas.

Example 48

The method of example 47, the first frame further including a MIMOtraining field sub-header including an indication of one or more MIMOtraining sequences to be used in establishing communication using thesecond channel.

Example 49

The method of example 48, the PHY layer sub-header including anindication of bandwidth corresponding to the second channel.

Example 50

The method of example 49, the PHY layer header including a bit thatindicates the presence of the PHY layer sub-header.

Example 51

The method of example 46, wherein the PHY layer sub-header is a firstPHY layer sub-header, the RTS frame further including a second PHY layersub-header, the second PHY layer sub-header including an indication ofone or more MIMO training sequences.

Example 52

The method of example 51, the first PHY layer sub-header including a bitthat indicates the presence of the second PHY layer sub-header.

Example 53

The method any one of examples 46 to 52, wherein the first frame is arequest to send (RTS) frame.

Example 54

The apparatus of example 53, wherein the second frame is a directionalmulti-gigabit (DMG) clear-to-send (CTS) frame corresponding to the RTSframe and the third frame is a DMG-CTS-to-self frame.

Example 55

The method of example 53, wherein the RTS frame is part of a convergenceprocedure (PLCP) protocol data unit (PPDU).

Example 56

An apparatus comprising means to perform the method of any of examples32 to 55.

Example 57

At least one machine readable medium comprising a plurality ofinstructions that in response to being executed on a transmitter nodeand/or a receiver node in a wireless network cause any one thetransmitter node and/or receiver node to perform the method of any ofexamples 32 to 55.

Example 58

An apparatus for a wireless network comprising: a processor; a radiooperably connected to the processor; one or more antennas operablyconnected to the radio to transmit or receive wireless signals; and amemory comprising a plurality of instructions that in response to beingexecuted by the processor cause the processor or the radio to performthe method of any of examples 32 to 55.

1-25. (canceled)
 26. An apparatus comprising: an interface; andcircuitry coupled with the interface, the circuitry operable to executeone or more instructions that when executed cause the circuitry to:generate a protocol data unit to communicate wirelessly, the protocoldata unit comprising a header and a first sub-header, the headercomprising a bit in a field distinct from the first sub-header, whereinthe bit indicates a presence of the first sub-header, and the firstsub-header comprising an indication of a channel bandwidth to be used tocommunicate data; and cause wireless transmission of the protocol dataunit.
 27. The apparatus of claim 26, wherein the channel bandwidthcomprises one of a 2.16 Gigahertz (GHz) channel bandwidth, a 4.32 GHzchannel bandwidth, a 6.48 GHz channel bandwidth, and an 8.64 GHz channelbandwidth.
 28. The apparatus of claim 26, wherein channel bonding isutilized to generate the channel bandwidth.
 29. The apparatus of claim26, wherein the protocol data unit comprises one of a request-to-send(RTS) frame, a clear-to-send (CTS) frame, and a directionalmulti-gigabit (DMG) CTS frame.
 30. The apparatus of claim 26, whereinthe protocol data unit comprises one or more of a short training field,a channel estimation field, a second sub-header, and a data payloadfield.
 31. The apparatus of claim 26, wherein the field comprises areserved field of the header.
 32. The apparatus of claim 26, thecircuitry to cause communication of the data utilizing the channelbandwidth during a transmit opportunity.
 33. The apparatus of claim 26,comprising: a transmitter; a receiver; and a plurality of antennascoupled with the transmitter and the receiver.
 34. The apparatus ofclaim 33, the circuitry to cause the transmitter to transmit, via theplurality of antennas, the protocol data unit to indicate the channelbandwidth.
 35. The apparatus of claim 33, the circuitry to cause thetransmitter to transmit, via the plurality of antennas, the protocoldata unit comprising a request-to-send (RTS) frame to indicate thechannel bandwidth, and the receiver to receive, via the plurality ofantennas, a directional multi-gigabit (DMG) clear-to-send (CTS) framecorresponding to the RTS.
 36. A non-transitory computer-readable storagemedium, comprising a plurality of instructions, that when executed,enable processing circuitry to: generate a protocol data unit tocommunicate wirelessly, the protocol data unit comprising a header and afirst sub-header, the header comprising a bit in a field distinct fromthe first sub-header, wherein the bit indicates a presence of the firstsub-header, and the first sub-header comprising an indication of achannel bandwidth to be used to communicate data; and cause wirelesstransmission of the protocol data unit.
 37. The non-transitorycomputer-readable storage medium of claim 36, wherein the channelbandwidth comprises one of a 2.16 Gigahertz (GHz) channel bandwidth, a4.32 GHz channel bandwidth, a 6.48 GHz channel bandwidth, and an 8.64GHz channel bandwidth.
 38. The non-transitory computer-readable storagemedium of claim 36, wherein channel bonding is utilized to generate thechannel bandwidth.
 39. The non-transitory computer-readable storagemedium of claim 36, wherein the protocol data unit comprises one of arequest-to-send (RTS) frame, a clear-to-send (CTS) frame, and adirectional multi-gigabit (DMG) CTS frame.
 40. The non-transitorycomputer-readable storage medium of claim 36, wherein the protocol dataunit comprises one or more of a short training field, a channelestimation field, a second sub-header, and a data payload field.
 41. Thenon-transitory computer-readable storage medium of claim 36, wherein thefield comprises a reserved field of the header.
 42. The non-transitorycomputer-readable storage medium of claim 36, comprising a plurality ofinstructions, that when executed, enable processing circuitry to causecommunication of the data utilizing the channel bandwidth during atransmit opportunity.
 43. The non-transitory computer-readable storagemedium of claim 36, comprising a plurality of instructions, that whenexecuted, enable processing circuitry to cause a transmitter totransmit, via a plurality of antennas, the protocol data unit toindicate the channel bandwidth.
 44. The non-transitory computer-readablestorage medium of claim 36, comprising a plurality of instructions, thatwhen executed, enable processing circuitry to cause a transmitter totransmit, via a plurality of antennas, the protocol data unit comprisinga request-to-send (RTS) frame to indicate the channel bandwidth, and thereceiver to receive, via the plurality of antennas, a directionalmulti-gigabit (DMG) clear-to-send (CTS) frame corresponding to the RTS.45. A computer-implemented method, comprising: generating a protocoldata unit to communicate wirelessly, the protocol data unit comprising aheader and a first sub-header, the header comprising a bit in a fielddistinct from the first sub-header, wherein the bit indicates a presenceof the first sub-header, and the first sub-header comprising anindication of a channel bandwidth to be used to communicate data; andcausing wireless transmission of the protocol data unit.
 46. Thecomputer-implemented method of claim 45, wherein the channel bandwidthcomprises one of a 2.16 Gigahertz (GHz) channel bandwidth, a 4.32 GHzchannel bandwidth, a 6.48 GHz channel bandwidth, and an 8.64 GHz channelbandwidth.
 47. The computer-implemented method of claim 45, whereinchannel bonding is utilized to generate the channel bandwidth.
 48. Thecomputer-implemented method of claim 45, wherein the protocol data unitcomprises one of a request-to-send (RTS) frame, a clear-to-send (CTS)frame, and a directional multi-gigabit (DMG) CTS frame.
 49. Thecomputer-implemented method of claim 45, wherein the protocol data unitcomprises one or more of a short training field, a channel estimationfield, a second sub-header, and a data payload field.
 50. Thecomputer-implemented method of claim 45, wherein the field comprises areserved field of the header.
 51. The computer-implemented method ofclaim 45, comprising causing communication of the data utilizing thechannel bandwidth during a transmit opportunity.
 52. Thecomputer-implemented method of claim 45, comprising causing atransmitter to transmit, via a plurality of antennas, the protocol dataunit to indicate the channel bandwidth.
 53. The computer-implementedmethod of claim 45, causing a transmitter to transmit, via a pluralityof antennas, the protocol data unit comprising a request-to-send (RTS)frame to indicate the channel bandwidth, and the receiver to receive,via the plurality of antennas, a directional multi-gigabit (DMG)clear-to-send (CTS) frame corresponding to the RTS.